Messam is hero and villain as All Blacks keep title

Nick Said

5 Min Read

JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) - Liam Messam ran in two tries and was sin-binned as New Zealand underlined their status as the world’s top ranked team by retaining the Rugby Championship title with a thrilling 38-27 victory over South Africa on Saturday.

South Africa's captain Jean de Villiers scores a try as he is challenged by New Zealand's All Blacks Aaron Smith (top) during the final round of the Rugby Championship at Ellis Park stadium in Johannesburg,October 5, 2013. REUTERS/Siphiwe Sibeko (SOUTH AFRICA - Tags: SPORT RUGBY)

The brilliant All Blacks were crowned champions after scoring five tries through Messam (2), Ben Smith, Beauden Barrett and Kieran Read.

South Africa needed to score four tries to have a chance of capturing the trophy but touchdowns by Bryan Habana (2), Willie le Roux and Jean de Villiers were unable to give them the win they needed.

“We are thrilled with the win and the manner in which we got it, two yellow cards meant we played for 20 minutes with 14 men but the boys showed a lot of character,” All Blacks coach Steve Hansen told reporters.

”We were under pressure in the first half and came through that which shows the mental fortitude of the group.

“In the modern game you have to have a whole lot of people who are ball carriers and we had that today, but I thought our scrums held up well, our line-out was good and we defended our line brilliantly.”

The All Blacks matched the physicality and skill of the home team in a contest during which the lead regularly changed hands before the New Zealanders pulled clear in the final 20 minutes.

Richie McCaw’s team finished with six wins from six games in the annual competition with South Africa second, ahead of Australia and Argentina who complete the program when they meet in Rosario later on Saturday.

The 62,000-seat caldron that is Johannesburg’s Ellis Park was packed to capacity for the tournament decider and it did not take long for the tone to be set for a memorable encounter with both teams showing plenty of Endeavour with ball in hand in the opening exchanges.

Flyhalf Morne Steyn struck an early penalty for the Springboks but the lead lasted just moments as New Zealand number eight Kieran Read brilliantly combined with the elusive Smith who beat three defenders on his way to the opening try on 12 minutes.

The home fans were back on their feet six minutes later, however, when the powerful Duane Vermeulen broke through the All Blacks defense and put winger Bryan Habana away for the first of his two tries.

Habana’s second - a chip, chase and regather was a game highlight as South Africa surged 15-7 ahead midway through the first half.

But it would prove to be the experienced Habana’s last meaningful contribution of the match as he was forced off the field soon after with a hamstring injury.

As they have done so often the All Blacks responded to the mounting challenge and closed the gap to a point on 25 minutes when Messam barged over as the Springboks failed to defend on the edge of the ruck.

South Africa’s desperation for four tries proved costly in the dying seconds of the first 40 minutes as they lost the ball attempting to run it out of their own 22.

New Zealand punished them as Messam crossed to give the visitors a 21-15 lead at the interval.

STIRRING RESTART

With a vocal Ellis Park crowd willing them on, South Africa made a stirring start after the break.

Messam was sin-binned for a professional foul five meters from his own line and the Springboks took advantage as they spread the ball to le Roux, who evaded two tackles as his team regained the lead.

Captain de Villiers gave South Africa reason for more optimism when he smashed through a number of defenders to score the essential bonus point with 23 minutes remaining.

But South Africa’s Rugby Championship dream died when Barrett showed excellent leg strength and power to break free and score under the posts as New Zealand secured the bonus point they needed out of the game to be retain their title.

Man-of-the-match Read crossed for New Zealand’s fifth try with a quarter of an hour to play after he was sent clear by winger Julian Savea as world champions opened up an 11-point lead which they never relinquished.

South Africa coach Heyneke Meyer said his side had every right to hold their heads up high after such a performance.

“Today was the best attack I have been involved in and one of the best games I have ever been involved in. The players gave everything and played well, but we are very disappointed with our defense,” he said.

“If you look at our defense this year we have conceded just over one try per game, but today too many guys shot out of the line. They were eager to make big hits but they shouldn’t have done it.”